Seasonal Report - Winter 2018-19
Lycoming County Winter 2018-19 Summary
After wrapping up an incredible fall season, and with an irruption of Evening Grosbeaks underway, anticipation was high for the winter to produce some good sightings. For the most part, however, that is not how it played out. There were a few rarities, but they were mostly the more "expected" species. Many of the species that are less common winter residents, such as Eastern Towhee and Fox Sparrow, were not present at all. In total, 101 species were reported in Lycoming County during the winter, which is 10-15 below average.
Observations
Observers include: Bobby Brown (BB — county compiler), Bill Bishop (BiB), Bob Brown (BoB), David Brown (DB), Deb Brown (DeB), Jean Dalton (JD), Maddi Dunlap (MD), Wes Egli (WE), Norwood Frederick (NF), Nate Fronk (NaF), Eric Hartshaw (EH), Andy Keister (AK), Steve Pinkerton (SP)
Waterfowl
The Snow Goose at Indian Park continued throughout the entire winter. Five Cackling Geese dropped in near the Williamsport Dam on 1/12 (BB, DB, et al.).
Generally uncommon in the winter, a Wood Duck was found in Cogan House Twp. on 12/29 (BB, DB, BoB, DeB), and one was at Indian Park 1/13-16 (BB, et al.). An American Wigeon was at Indian Park 1/13-19 (BB, et al.). A pair of Green-winged Teal were found in a pond near Montgomery on 1/3 (BB, DB, DeB, BoB), which represents the first January eBird record of that species for Lycoming County.
Canvasback numbers were above average during the winter, with scattered sightings along the river.
An unusual January fallout event on 1/5 dropped 3 Surf Scoters, 4 White-winged Scoters, and 63 Long-tailed Ducks at the Williamsport Dam (BB, DeB, BoB, et al.). One White-winged Scoter was also reported at Rose Valley Lake that day (NF).
Grebes
A Red-necked Grebe was seen at the Williamsport Dam on 2/28 (BiB).
Gulls
The only unusual gull report was a Great Black-backed Gull at the Lycoming County Landfill on 1/3 (BB, DB, DeB, BoB).
Loons
A Common Loon was reported at Little Pine S.P. on 12/6 (JD), and one was on a small pond in Buttonwood on 12/9 (BB, DeB, BoB).
Raptors
A Golden Eagle was reported in Cogan House Twp. on 12/24 (NaF). Two were recorded for the Northern Lycoming Christmas Bird Count on 12/29: one in Cogan House Twp. and one at Rose Valley Lake (BB, DB, DeB, BoB). One was also spotted at Powys Wetland on 1/13 (DB, BB, DeB, BoB).
It was a very poor year for Northern Harriers, with very few reports in normally reliable locations. Mill Hill Rd., which would normally host at least a half-dozen harriers and a similar number of Short-eared Owls, had no reports of either species. Rough-legged Hawks were consistently seen in Jackson Twp., along with a sighting near Mill Hill Rd. on 1/27 (BB, DB, DeB, BoB) and one near Elimsport on 2/3 (BB, DB, DeB, BoB).
Finches
There were five reports of small flocks of Evening Grosbeaks during December, which, adding to the October and November reports, made for ten total sightings during the irruption. A Common Redpoll visited a feeder in Eldred Twp. on 12/9 (JD, BB, DeB, BoB) and 12/10 (JD), and one visited a feeder in Ralston on 2/12 (NF). It was a pretty poor winter for Pine Siskins, with only a few reports that completely dried up after December.
Sparrows
An unusual winter Chipping Sparrow was recorded at SGL 252 for the Williamsport Christmas Bird Count on 12/15 (BB, DeB).
Blackbirds
A small flock of Rusty Blackbirds wintered at the wetland adjacent to South Williamsport Park with a group of Red-winged Blackbirds.
Warblers
Yellow-rumped Warblers were found in small numbers at a couple spots along the river, with sightings being fairly regular at Mill St.
Conclusion
It was a lackluster winter. Full stop. Onwards to spring migration!
The Winter 2018-19 report was compiled and written by Bobby Brown. Our seasonal reports cover March-May (Spring), June and July (Summer), August-November (Fall) and December-February (Winter) to better line up with migration, breeding and wintering timings.
